This is a summary of an event with Dr Matthias Küntzel, Professor Meir Litvak, Tom Wilson, Dr Shimon Sameuls, chaired by Michael McCann MP, on Tuesday 10 March 2015; it reflects the views expressed by the speaker and not those of The Henry Jackson Society or its staff.

On 10 March, The Henry Jackson Society and the Simon Wiesenthal Center hosted a panel including Dr Matthias Küntzel, author, political scientist, and External Associate at the Vidal Sassoon International Centre for the Study of Anti-Semitism at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Professor Meir Litvak, Associate Professor at the Department of Middle Eastern History, and Director of the Alliance Centre for Iranian Studies at Tel Aviv University, Tom Wilson, Resident Associate Fellow at the Centre for the New Middle East at The Henry Jackson Society, and Dr Shimon Samuels, Director for International Relations at the Simon Wiesenthal Centre. The panel discussed where Hamas is today, after the summer 2014 fighting in the Gaza Strip, and their current attempts at rearmament. In addition, the panel emphasized Hamas’ anti-Semitism toward the Jewish population, as well as the terrorism Hamas inflicts on Israeli civilians. The panel discusses how the Hamas Charter promotes anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish ideology. In order to push back against Hamas, Dr Samuels suggests that powerful, European nations band together and progressively move forward in the fight against Hamas.

Where Hamas is Today

Hamas had been hit very hard in the summer 2014 conflict, with 80% of their missile stock piles depleted. Hamas constructed offensive tunnels, and attempted to use drones. Hamas was prevented in most of their military objectives this past summer.

Israel was able to take out all thirty-two of the known offensive tunnels that Hamas had built. Also, during the Israeli offensive, Hamas lost about 1,000 fighters along with some major military compounds.

Hamas has begun to rearm, refocusing on local production of missiles, which still can reach a significant distance. They have resumed tunnels, and have also begun training around 15,000 fighters.

Qatar is the main supporter of Hamas since the loss of Iran as their previous sponsor. Qatar is aiding Hamas with the rearmament sector.

Hamas Charter, Hamas anti-Semitism, Terrorism

Countless Arab-Palestinians who attempted to associate with Jews were murdered. Hamas continued to provoke terror and murder against moderate Muslims today. For example, between 1988 and 1993, 942 Palestinians were murdered because they were so called “collaborators,” and disagreed with Hamas.

The Hamas Charter of 1988 has an intention to target Jews and the Jewish State.

The roots of anti-Semitism go back to the thirties, even before the Hamas Charter was written. Between 1939 and 1945, Arabic language broadcasts – which were organised by the Nazis – broadcasted a special version of anti-Semitism promoting Jew hatred.

When suicide attacks are successfully carried out against Israeli citizens, Hamas teaches the children of Gaza that the massacre of Jews is a reason to celebrate.

Hamas is a nightmare for Israel, and Gaza needs to be freed of Hamas.

The Hamas Charter draws from anti-Jewish themes, which existed in traditional Islam. The Jews are to be seen – in the eyes of Hamas – as blood suckers, killers, and human pigs.

The final Muslim victory in Palestine will be annihilation of the Jews.

Hamas Ideology

Judaism and Jews is a major pillar of the ideology of Hamas. The conflict between Israel and Palestine is a conflict about faith. The conflicting ideologies of Islam and Judaism drive this existential conflict between the two. Hamas regards themselves as the good and personified who represent the party of God. They regard the Jews as evil, representing the party of Satan.

Hamas’ publications represent the Jews as being instruments of the West.

Hamas preachers explained that the total extermination of Jews will benefit all of humanity.

The children’s publication Al Fateh, tells children to pray to God asking for the extermination of the Jews.

The Henry Jackson Society is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under company number 07465741 and a charity registered in England and Wales under registered charity number 1140489.